Where To Find The Best Coffee In Sydney Australia

Australia is known for its remarkably diverse cafe culture and Sydney, long overshadowed by ‘trendier’ Melbourne, is now home to some of the most exciting purveyors of specialty coffee in the country. Take a coffee tour around the city and discover why people are happy to queue for 20 minutes to get their favorite brew.

The urban sprawl of Sydney means there is no single ‘coffee hot spot’, unlike perhaps London’s Soho district or Melbourne’s North Side. It only takes a quick look at the most awarded cafes in Sydney to discover the scope of it; The Grounds of Alexandria is hidden in a gargantuan industrial area, Bean Drinking is quietly nestled up in a North Shore village and Circa has won Sydney Morning Herald’s ‘Café of the Year’ award despite living far away from its competitors in Parramatta. Despite this, the cafes are all recognized as belonging to the melange of personalities which band together to create a true coffee culture.

Australia’s Coffee History

The Revival of Filter Coffee

With the rise of specialty coffee, offering customers ‘filter coffee’ may evoke imagery of American diner ‘drip’ or a cheap cup from McDonalds. Quite the opposite, filter coffee is now offered by most specialty coffee outlets as a way of showcasing outstanding single-origin coffees. The beans are only lightly roasted and are gently brewed without the use of pressure to yield what many first timers have likened to ‘coffee-tea’. The full spectrum of tastes and aromas of a particular coffee are showcased. There exists several methods of preparation such as Pour Over, Aeropress or Syphon. A proud moment for any barista is to see a customer’s surprised reaction as they discover that there’s no need for any milk or sugar – there’s enough flavor and sweetness contained within the beans alone.

Sydney’s Standout Cafes

1. Reuben Hills

Reuben Hills

A striking interior where wall-mounted fluorescent tube lights clash with bare brick walls and reconstructed wooden tables, Reuben Hills houses an uber-cool coffee haunt fitting for its Surry Hills address. Owners Nathan Borg and Russell Beard have traveled extensively through South and Central America, visiting farms and setting up direct-trade agreements for their coffee supplies. To accompany the coffee, the food menu boasts influence from Honduras and El Salvador. Upstairs, a 30 kilogram Probat roaster churns out their signature blend of coffee beans, which are now used and enjoyed across the capital. Friday mornings see free coffee cupping (tasting) sessions for anyone keen to come along and sample the latest lots.

Reuben Hills, 61 Albion St Surry Hills NSW Australia +61 2 9211 5556

2. Paramount Coffee Project

Paramount Coffee Project

Echoing the recent trend of cafes that could be art galleries is Paramount Coffee Project (PCP). The interior design features sweeping stone surfaces that seamlessly house induction stovetops, polished wooden sinks and immaculate coffee equipment. You can’t help but feel a little dirty when you order a big squashy soft-shell crab burger (named the Po-Boy) but the hospitality and buzz quickly reassure anyone feeling intimidated. Paramount Coffee Project offer a unique take on coffee – they purchase the latest lots of raw coffee, send them out to guest roasters and then serve the results. Customers can expect an ever-changing coffee menu which highlights the seasonal roasts and variability of how coffee is treated from farm to cup.

Paramount Coffee Project, 80 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills, NSW, Australia, 0410 311 494

3. Pablo & Rustys

Cafe, Australian, Vegetarian

A long time player in the specialty coffee movement, Pablo & Rustys have recently opened up their fifth venue right in the heart of Sydney’s financial district. From a small suburban cafe opened in 2006, the success of the company is owed to an unwavering commitment to specialty grade coffee and providing its customers with seasonal, traceable and ethical products. Pablo & Rustys’ coffee is roasted in smaller batches, allowing their roasting schedule to respond to their customers’ demands while also ensuring that every bean is prepared to maximize flavor.

4. Mecca

Mecca

Now with several venues in the middle of the city and countless new cafes using their beans, Mecca is the yardstick by which Sydney’s specialty coffee scene can be measured. Many customers are happy to walk the extra block and wait the extra time just to be guaranteed the best coffee in town, which is why Mecca will continue to thrive as the savior of the inner-city coffee break.

Mecca (King Street Store), King Street Store, 67 King Street, Sydney, NSW Australia +61 2 9299 8828

The Wedge

A small cafe with a big following, The Wedge keeps its customers excited by offering coffee from many different roasters. ‘The idea’, says head barista Gus Lindsay, ‘is to communicate a passion for the core product rather than an affiliation with a particular brand. This allows us to hand-pick what we think is best right now and share it with our customers.’

The Wedge, 53-55 Glebe Point Road (Corner of Cowper St), Glebe, NSW Australia +61 407 250 888

5. Sample

Cafe, Coffee Shop, Coffee

Another tiny space with a big heart, Sample have recently come into the spotlight with ‘Black Saturdays’ – one day of the week where coffee is only served in its unadulterated form. Sample roast their own coffee and the cafe is widely praised not only for the taste of its brews but also for its friendly staff and atmosphere. © Cameron Stephens | Anvil Coffee Co.

6. Acil Coffee Co.

Acil Coffee Co.

A very recent addition to the ‘must-try’ list of cafes in Sydney is worth it for the view alone. Axil Coffee Co . is set on the water at Kirribilli, on the north side of the harbor, in a small wooden shack setup. Beautifully presented food and exceptional coffee allow a true stumble-upon experience for those traveling by ferry around Sydney.

Axil Coffee Co.,Kirribilli Wharf, Holbrook Ave, Sydney, NSW Australia, +61 431 344 991

7. The Grounds of Alexandria

Restaurant, Bakery, Australian

Where a vast selection of quality products reflects a high consumer demand, The Grounds of Alexandria could be likened to a Disneyland of quality produce. Outside, customers can wait for a table by moseying around the outdoor section complete with a BBQ area, a vegetable garden, a florist, a children’s play area and even some farm animals, such as Kevin Bacon the pig. Inside, the Grounds pump out thousands of coffees in an industrial-sized space, complete with a gigantic kitchen, bakery, coffee lab and a coffee roastery. The Grounds of Alexandria is set away from most city happenings, but many will make the journey by car or bus just to be a part of the buzz.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.